Front Mounted Oil Cooler ..., what has worked for you? Options

[SirAndy]

i know we've been through this before, but ...

i'm now actively looking to assemble a front mounted oil-cooler.
what has worked for you? brand? size? thermostat? line-size?

right now, the engine is a warmed up 2056. the car will definately see some track-time during '05.
also, keep in mind that i still plan on putting in a /6 one of these days, either 3.2 or 3.6.
so, i would like to (at least) have the lines the proper size for that already.

what kind of thermostat do you guys run? what brand cooler? what size oil-lines?
what route? ( i would prefer to retain heat, if possible)
don't want to do the under the rocker panel thing. so i think i'm kinda stuck routing through the cabin.
any objections?

how about higher volume oil-pumps? pickup points? return?
i have a oil-filter location sandwich adapter. good or bad?


whatch'ya'all think?
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) Andy

[campbellcj]

Currently AN-12 lines thru the heater tubes; Troutman thermostat; huge MazdaComp cooler (very different animal than the RX7 junkyard thing) and custom shrouding. This setup is pretty extreme but we routinely see 100-115°F ambient temps in summer here and at the local tracks so I would rather go a bit toward overkill than fry an engine. Since installing this system I don't think I have ever seen > 200°F oil temps and I tape-off most of the intake unless it is warm outside in order to get some heat into the engine.

The cooler I've got is similar to the large Fluidyne that Brad usually recommends and I would go that route these days as pricing and availability is better. I think there are other coolers that work fine but these two seem to be the largest and best built options IMHO.

I used the Mocal sandwich plate on my previous car and it worked fine.

I'm assuming you are not opposed to cutting holes in the car...any serious cooling system will need significant air intake and outlet openings.

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (campbellcj @ Jan 15 2005, 08:44 PM)

I'm assuming you are not opposed to cutting holes in the car...any serious cooling system will need significant air intake and outlet openings.

thanks!

no, i'm not. just spend $6k+ on bodywork & paint and i'm already thinking about cutting, welding and reshaping ...

i must be nuts,
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Andy

[pete-stevers]

I am all in favour of this line of questioning, as I would like to tackle this mod some time soon.... At least pic up all the peices and be ready for install, as opposed to making my car a jackstand queen over the sacred summer months
Cheers (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)
steve

[campbellcj]

To give credit where due, my setup was designed/installed by Ottos. I think one reason it is very effective is that the cooler is entirely shrouded in aluminum and installed on a slant (canted towards the back of the car). The intake in the front bumper is around 32"x6" and the ducting is tapered so it rams the air thru the cooler and then down/back towards the ground thru the trunk floor. I'm sure this kind of rig would be fine with a 3.6+

[Steve]

Otto's solution looks great and he has more track experience with a 914-6 than probably anyone else that I know of.
I did mine the same way as the factory, regarding the shroud and how they ran there lines.
Check out http://home.hiwaay.net/~jonlowe/MyGT.html
You can buy the two piece shroud from getty design.
I'm using this shroud and running my AN12 lines the same as the GT.
My lines are steel braided lines inside a heat blanket to keep the heat out of my passenger compartment
I'm using a mocal thermostat but the troutman is more popular.
I'm also using two 4" 12v computer fans under the shroud.
I bought a electric sensor for the fans from pep boys.
They both come on at 200 degrees or manualy by a switch on the dash.
The oil cooler is a setrab unit.
The Mazda RX7 cooler wouldn't fit in the shroud.
I don't know about other coolers.

[Maltese Falcon]

Mazda RX4 ( older sedan/ dealer available) with #AN12 lines in and out, into a Troutman oil thermostat. Fits nicely under front trunk nose area.The nipples on the cooler need to be mod'd to #AN12, I run the lines in the L rocker panel. The Troutman part uses the OE 911 thermostat in an aluminun housing. A-I-R (fiberglass) makes a 9146 front trunk cooler shroud (GT replica), and ducts the waste air out the 2 lower trunk outlets (remove plates).
Knock out the front nose rubber cap-plugs and trim your front valence for air inlet and your done (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
I also use this set-up on the '79 930> replacing the factory trombone cooler (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/barf.gif)
Marty

[Jeroen]

So Andy, you finally gonna cut some vents into your front hood? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (Jeroen @ Jan 15 2005, 09:46 PM)

So Andy, you finally gonna cut some vents into your front hood? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

ayupp, that's the plan. i can use the extra heat. it's sooooo fucking cold here in CA right now ...




just kidding! (about the cold thing)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Andy

[nine14cats]

Hi Andy,

On my new car with the 3.6, we're going run the large cooler Brad suggested and a -20 line. The -20 thinking is highly recommended for a 3.6 by Jerry Woods, whose been prepping my engine for the new car. It's probably overkill for the 3.2 and smaller motors....but if you decide to go bigger or run alot of track events maybe it's worth it while you're in there. Just a thought.

I'll be talking with Rich Walton next week scheduling the dry fit of my drivetrain. I'm going to deliver the roller to them sometime the beginning of Feb to run all the plumbing and fit in the power steering. Then we'll pull everthing off and have Scott Yeaman and Brad finish the car prep and Sheridan body kit.

I saw the coolers for the 3.6. They are pretty big!

Bill P.

[Trekkor]

I'll be right there with you, Andy.

Setrab cooler and a -12 Mocal thermostat.

I want to run the lines in the rocker space out of 3/4" copper pipe with fittings off the ends.

KT

[retrotech]

Does anyone know of any race/performance set ups, that vent air under the car? Other than 35 year old 914-6 GT set up.

[Maltese Falcon]

Trekkor, there are several round bulkhead-pass-thrus in the rocker area, perfect for the tube (which will save $$$ over AN braided) in that area. Grainger, McMaster or other industrial surplus carries nylon covered brackets , handy for hold downs in fab'ing up the twists and turns. Keep the hard lines from vibrating--which will cause leaks in the silver soldered joints (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)
I'm desperate for a canyon run...my six has been up for a month--finishing up new prototype rear puck/disc ebrakes. Oh well , most of our canyons are not driveable now anyhow !
Marty

[Trekkor]

QUOTE

nylon covered brackets

Yes, very good. I saw some at OSH, too.

KT

[Steve]

Here's a PIC of mine.
It works great for street or AutoX.
I have never had any cooling problems in So Cal with my 3.2
For track or 3.6 motors I would probably go with something like Otto's more modern solution.
I heard the Setrab oil cooler I'm using is not efficient enough for a 3.6

[Trekkor]

I like this:

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (trekkor @ Jan 15 2005, 11:01 PM)

I like this:

doesn't work for me.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif)

i can't take my rocker panels off, they're all molded in ...
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Andy

(IMG:http://www.sirandy.com/pix/914/2003.07.16/car005.JPG)

[Steve]

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Jan 15 2005, 11:36 PM)

QUOTE (trekkor @ Jan 15 2005, 11:01 PM) I like this: doesn't work for me.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif) i can't take my rocker panels off, they're all molded in ... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Andy (IMG:http://www.sirandy.com/pix/914/2003.07.16/car005.JPG)

How do you clean behind them??
I think your only option for running the lines will be through the passenger compartment or giving up one of your heater tubes either on the drivers side or the passenger side.

[Trekkor]

I saw a 914 at Sears last year that had the oil lines snugged up against the inner longs on the passenger side.
They were covered with carpet and could hardly be noticed.

KT

[Series9]

Here's mine for a 3.6:

Mocal oil cooler and thermostat. -16 supply and -12 scavenge.

The venting on this set up is a little controversial, but I can tell you that it does work well.